American Petroleum Institute Announces New Gasoline Engine Oil Standards
Formal approval has been granted for ILSAC GF-7A and GF-7B motor oils used in gasoline powered engines, the American Petroleum Institute announced in a recent press release.
The oils are the most recent of firmer performance specifications the International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee is now requiring.
A new generation of gasoline engine oil standards, ILSAC GF-7 is designed to accommodate fuel economy and emissions reduction goals for model 2026 vehicles and beyond. As engine technology advances, the standards aim to meet changing EPA requirements through improved engine protection, fuel efficiency, and emission performance.
Launching alongside ILSAC GF-7 will be API’s latest engine oil performance standard, API SQ, which contains ultra-low-viscosity grades including SAE 0W-8 and SAE 0W-12. All three of these gasoline engine oil standards will be licensed under API’s Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System as of March 31, 2025.
Additionally, API has noted that API SQ Resource Conserving will meet all ILSAC requirements, while API SQ without Resource Conserving is meant for oils not included in ILSAC OEM recommendations.
Licensed oils meeting the ILSAC GF-7A standard will be permitted to display API’s “Starburst” certification mark, and are able to be used where GF-6A or earlier gasoline engine oil standards are recommended.
Oils meeting the ILSAC GF-7B standard will be able to display API’s “Shield” certification mark, ensuring that only SAE 0W-16 oils are used where recommended.
“API has been diligently working with ILSAC and industry stakeholders to develop new oils to meet the needs of the current and future engine technologies to comply with upcoming regulations,” said Bill O’Ryan, senior manager of API's Engine Oil Licensing and Certification System. “The committee has aligned on these next generation oils that will help provide improved fuel efficiency, engine protection, and reduced emissions.”
